Gummed tape dispenser and applier



l.. L. SALr-'ISBERG 2,317,943

GUMMED TAPE DISPENSER AND APFLIER April 27, 1943.

Filed April 9, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 27,r 1943. L. L. SALFISBERG2,317,943

GUMMED TPE DISPENSER AND PPLIER Filed April 9, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 17. Leroy La ljisberg.

BY ,f/M ATTORNEY Patentecl Apr. 27, 1943 GUMMED TAPE DISPENSE-R A NIJAPPLIER Leroy L. Salfisbel'g, South Orange, N. J., assigner to Ivers-LeeCompany, Newark, N. J., a corporation ot Delaware Application April 9,1942, Serial No. 438,267

16 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for dispensing and for applying toan article such as a package, adhesive strips or sheets, for example,normally tacky or pressure-sensitive adhesive tape which is known asScotch tape.

Prime objects of the invention are to provide a machine which shallembody novel and improved means for dispensing pieces of tape ofpredetermined length into a predetermined position to be engaged by aportion of an article, such as a package, upon movement of the latter inone direction, and means operable by and upon said movement of saidarticle for applying said piece of tape to the article; and to providesuch a machine wherein the last-named means shall also actuate the meansfor dispensing the tape, whereby the machine shall be simple andinexpensive in construction and operation and shall be reliable anddurable.

Another object is to provide a machine of this character which can bemanually operated by a relatively unskilled operator and with a minimumof attention and physical effort.

A further object is to provide in a machine of the general characterdescribed novel and improved means for withdrawing in successionpredetermined lengths of tape from a roll or strip, for severing piecesof the tape from the roll or strip. and for projecting and holding thesevered pieces in position to be engaged by an article t which the pieceof tape is to be applied.

Other objects, advantages and results of the invention will be broughtout by the following description in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which Figure l is a top plan view oi' a gummed tapeapplicator embodying my invention, with portions broken away and shownin section for clearness in illustration.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view on the line 3 3 ofFigure 2.

Figures 4 and 5 are horizontal sectional views on the lines 4-4 and 5 5,respectively, of Figure 2, and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of one end of a package orbox having a piece of adhesive tape applied thereto, showing the mannerin which the machine of the invention applies a piece of adhesive tape.

Speciiically describing the illustrated embodiment of the invention, thegummed tape applier includes a case A that may be mounted on anysuitable support in any suitable manner. but is shown as set into a holeI in the top of a table or like support B. The casing has a top wall 2disposed slightly above the top side of the support B and having anopening 3 through which the tape to be applied is projected and anapplier for the tape is operated.

Within the casing are suitable supports, in the present instance rollers4, for a roll C of adhesive tape, the rollers being shown as mounted oncap screws secured in bosses 6 in the casing, the heads 6 of the capscrews serving to hold the roll of tape on the rollers between saidheads and the ends of the bosses.

One type of adhesive tape with which my applier may be utilized is whatis known as "Scotch tape which generally comprises a strip of crepepaper. cellophane, or the like to one side of which is applied anormally tacky or pressuresensitive adhesive. Tape can be unwound fromthe roll without transfer or osetting o! the adhesive and the adhesivemay be caused to adhere to a surface by simple application of pressureand without activation of the adhesive as by water,

solvents or heat. The strip I of adhesive material is unwound from theroll C and passes downwardly and then upwardly around a guide roller Band between a guide spring 9 and a block III, whereby the tape may beguided and pulled upwardly through the opening 3 in the top wall of thecasing. The roller 8 is mounted on a stud II and is held thereon by acap screw I2. The spring Il is mounted on a stud I3 and the block III ismounted on an angle bracket I4 which is secured by screws I5 to one wallof the casing.

Within the casing is also arranged a means generally designated D forfeeding the strip l of adhesive material so as to locate the free endportion thereof in a predetermined position to be engaged by an articlesuch as a package or box E upon movement of the latter in one directionas shown by the arrow in Figure 2. Cooperating with the feeding means Dis a means F for severing a piece ot the adhesive material from thestrip, and means G also is provided for applying the severed piece ofadhesive material to the box E. As shown. preferably this means G alsoserves as the actuator for the feeding means D.

The feeding means comprises a carrier I6 which m in the form of a hatbar and has a longitudinal slot Il through which passes the stud II sothat the carrier is slidably reciprocable. One end oi the carrier has ahead Il which at its lower limit of movement is pressed into adhesivecontact with the strip I at the side thereof opposite the block lil andduring its upward movement pulls the strip from the roll C. At its upperlimit of movement the head I8 holds the free end of the strip 1 inposition to be engaged by the box E.

The means for actuating the carrier IB includes a gear I9 mounted on astud 2li in the casing and rigidly connected to a crank arm 2i which ispivotally connected at 22 to the carrier i6. Meshing with the gear lilis a gear segment 23 which rotates about a stud 24 and is rigidlyconnected to the hub 25 of a bifurcated presser lever 26 between thearms of which is a presser roller 21. The lever 26 normally isinfluenced by a spiral spring 28 so as to locate the roller 21 injuxtaposition to and at the side of the free end of the strip 1 oppositethat against which the box E is moved. A stop stud 28 limits themovement of the lever 26 under the influence of the spring 28.

In operation of the machine so far described the parts normally are inthe position shown by solid lines in Figure 1 with the end of theadhesive strip projecting through the opening 3 as indicated at X andwith the end portion of the strip severed from the main strip at Y. Theoperator pushes the box E to which adhesive tape is to be applied alongthe top of the casing Ain the direction of the arrow as shown by solidlines in Figure 2 whereupon the adhesive tape is pressed between theroller 21 and the end of the box so that the tape is adhesively attachedto the box. Then the operator continues to move the box in the samedirection against the influence of the spring 28 which pulls the pieceof tape oil. the head i8 of' the carrier and causes the roller 21 to bemoved by and with the box until the roller is forced downwardly throughthe opening I as shown by dot and dash lines in Figure 2. At the sametime, the roller rolls over the piece of adhesive tape so as to securelyattach the latter to the box.

During this operation, the carrier iB has been moved downwardly by thegear segment 23, gear i9 and crank arm 2| so as to bring the head IB ofthe carrier into contact with the tape at the side of the tape oppositethe block iii. The tape thus is adhesively attached to the carrier.

Preferably the block ill is of rubber to facilitate the operation.

When the box is lifted by the operator, the lever 26 will be swung inthe other direction under the influence of the spring 28 into its normalposition. At the same time, the carrier will be moved upwardly with thestrip 1 attached thereto so as to again project the end of the stripthrough the opening 3.

In accordance with the invention, the strip is severed at this time asshown in Figure 2. The severing means includes a lever Ill which ispivotally mounted intermediate its ends at 3l on the casing and has aknife blade I2 at its upper end to cooperate with a slotted cuttingblock 33. The lever 30 has a lateral arm M that is connected by a spring35 to an arm 26 on the carrier I6, said spring serving to actuate thelever 21| in each dlrection as the carrier I6 moves to its respectivelimits of movement.

More particularly the knife blade normally is in cutting relation to theblock 33 so as to sever the strip as shown in Figure 2. As the strip isapplied to the box E and the carrier il is lowered, the lever lil isheld against movement by engagement of a roller 21 onJ the lever In witha stop block 3B on the carrier, but when the carrier reaches its lowerlimit of movement, the block 38 is moved out of abutting relation to theroller 31 so that the roller may swing above the block and permitmovement oi the lever I0 under the influence of the spring 3i in such amanner as to withdraw the knife blade from the cutting block and thestrip as shown by dot and dash lines in Figure 2. Movement of the knifelever is limited by engagement with the stud I3. Then upon movement ofthe carrier upwardly, the lever 30 is held in its inoperative positionby engagement of the roller 31 with the opposite side oi the stop blockI8 until the carrier has reached its uppermost; or normal position,whereat the block is out of abutting relation to the roller 31 so thatthe knife lever 20 may be swung by the spring I5 into operative positionwith the blade 32 entering the slot of the block Ill so as to cut thestrip and sever a piece of predetermined length therefrom as shown bysolid lines in Figure 2.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A machine of the character described comprising means for feeding apiece of adhesive material into a predetermined position to be engagedby an article upon movement of the latter in one direction. means forapplying said piece of material to said article upon movement of thearticle in said direction, and an operative connection between saidfeeding means and said applying means for actuating said feeding means.

2. A machine of the character described comprising means for feeding apiece of adhesive material into a predetermined position to be engagedby an article upon movement of the latter in one direction, means forapplying said piece of material to said article including a pressernormally disposed at the side oi' said piece of material opposite saidarticle so that said piece of adhesive material will be pressed betweensaid article and said presser and thus adhesively attached to thearticle upon movement of said article in said direction, said p'resserbeing movable by and with said article during continuation of saidmovement of the article, means for actuating said presser in the otherdirection into normal position, and an operative connection between saidpresser and said feeding means for actuating the latter.

3. A machine of the character described comprising means for feeding astrip of adhesive material longitudinally to locate its free end portionin a predetermined position to be engaged by an article upon movement ofthe latter in one direction, said feeding means including a movablecarrier which at one limit of its movement picks up said strip ofadhesive material and at the other limit locates the free end of saidstrip in said predetermined position, means for severing a piece of saidstrip at said free end portion, means for applying said piece ofmaterial to said article including a presser normally disposed at theside of said piece of material opposite said article so that said pieceof adhesive material will be pressed between said article and saidpresser and thus adhesively attached to the article upon movement oi'said article in said direction, said presser being movable by and withsaid article during continuation of said movement ci' the article, meansfor actuating said presser in the other direction into normal position,and an operative connection between said presser and said feeding meansfor actuating said carrier from the mst-mentioned limit of its movementto the second-mentioned limit as said presser is moved by said article.

4. A machine of the character described comprising means for feeding apiece oi' adhesive material into a predetermined position to be engagedat one side by an article upon movement of the latter in one direction,means for applying said piece of material to said article including apresser normally disposed at the side of said piece ot material oppositesaid article so that said piece of adhesive material will be pressedbetween said article and said presser and thus adhesively attached tothe article upon movement of said article in said direction, saidpresser being movable by and with said article during continuation ofsaid movement of the article, a spring for actuating said presser in theother direction into normal position, and an operative connectionbetween said presser and said feeding means for actuating said carrierfrom the second-mentioned limit to the rstmentioned limit of itsmovement upon movement of said presser into its normal position.

5. A machine of the character described, comprising means for guiding astrip of tape. means for feeding said strip longitudinally including acarrier movable longitudinally of said strip and having a head which atone limit of its movement picks up said strip and at the other limitlocates the free end oi the strip at a predetermined point, means forsevering a piece from said strip at the side of said head opposite thefree end of the strip when said head is at the second-mentioned limit ofits movement, and an operative connection between said carrier and saidsevering means for actuating the latter.

6. A machine of the character described, comprising means for guiding astrip of tape, means for feeding said strip longitudinally including acarrier movable longitudinally of said strip and having a head which atone limit of its movement picks up said strip and at the other limitlocates the free end of the strip at a predetermined point, means forsevering a piece from said strip at the side of said head opposite thefree end of the strip when said head is at the second-mentioned limit ofits movement, said severing means including a movable blade, and atension spring connecting said carrier and said blade s that as saidcarrier moves from the first-mentioned to the second-mentioned limit andfrom the second-mentioned to the firstmentioned limit, said spring tendsto actuate said blade into operative and inoperative positions,respectively, and cooperating means on said carirer and said blade torestrain the blade against movement during said movements of saidcarrier and to release said blade for movement when said carrier is atits respective limits of movement.

7. A machine of the character described, comprising means for guiding astrip of tape, means for feeding said strip longitudinally including acarrier movable longitudinally oi' said strip and having a head which atone limit of its movement picks up said strip and at the other limitlocates the free end of the strip at a predetermined point, means forsevering a piece from said strip at the side of said head opposite thefree end of the strip when said head is at the second-mentioned limit ofits movement, said severing means including a movable blade, and atension spring connecting said carrier and said blade so that as saidcarrier moves from the I'lrstmentioned to the second-mentioned limit andfrom the second-mentioned to the first-mentioned limit said spring tendsto actuate said blade into operative and inoperative positions,respectively. and cooperating members on said carrier and said bladenormally abutting each other to restrain movement of said blade duringsaid movements of said carrier, said member on the carrier being movedout of abutment with said member on said blade to release the blade formovement when the carrier is at its respective limits of movement.

8. A machine of the character described comprising means for guiding astrip of adhesive tape having a pressure-sensitive adhesive on one sideexposed, a, carrier movable longitudinally of the strip and having ahead which at one limit oi' its movement is pressed into adhesivecontact with said strip and during movement to its other limit feedssaid -strip tc locate its free end in a predetermined position to beengaged at its adhesive side by an article upon movement of the latterin one direction, means for actuating said carrier, means for severing apiece of material from said strip, and means for applying said piece ofmaterial to said article including a presser normally disposed at theside of said piece of material opposite said article so that said pieceoi adhesive material will be pressed between said article and saidpresser and thus adhesively attached to the article upon movement ofsaid article in said direction, said presser being movable by and withsaid article during continuation of said movement of the article, meansfor actuating said presser in the other direction into normal position,and an operative connection between said presser and said severing meansfor actuating the latter.

9. The machine set forth in claim 2 wherein said presser is pivotallymounted and said operative connection between said presser and saidfeeding means includes a gear segment rotatable by said presser andcoaxially with said pivotal connection, a second gear, and a crankconnection between said second gear and said feeding means.

10. The machine set forth in claim 3 wherein said presser is pivotallymounted and said operative connection between said presser and saidfeeding means includes a gear segment rotatable by said presser andcoaxlally with said pivotal connection, a second gear, and a crankconnection between said second gear and said carrier of the feedingmeans.

l1. A machine of the character described comprising means for feeding astrip of adhesive material to locate its free end portion in apredetermined position to be engaged by an article upon movement thereofin one direction, means for severing a piece of material at the free endportion of said strip, means for applying said piece of material to saidarticle including a presser normally disposed at the side of said pieceof material opposite said article so that said piece of adhesivematerial will be pressed between said article and said presser and thusadhesively attached to the article upon movement of said article in saiddirection, said presser being movable by and with said article duringcontinuation of said movement of the article, means for actuating saidpresser in the other direction into normal position, and an operativeconnection between said presser and said severing means for actuatingthe latter.

12. A machine o1' the character described comprising means for feeding astrip of adhesive material to locate its free end portion in apredetermined position to be engaged by an article upon movement thereofin one direction, including a carrier movable longitudinally of saidstrip and having a head which at one limit of its movement picks up saidstrip and at the other limit locates the free end oi' the strip at apredetermined point, means for severing a piece from said strip at theside of said head opposite the free end of the strip when said head isat the secondmentioned limit of its movement, said severing meansincluding a movable blade, means for applying said piece of material tosaid article including a presser normally disposed at the side of saidpiece of material opposite said article so that said piece oi adhesivematerial will be pressed between said article and said presser and thusadhesively attached to the article upon movement of said article in saiddirection, said presser being movable by and with said article duringcontinuation of said movement of the article, means for actuating saidpresser in the other direction into normal position, an operativeconnection between said presser and said carrier for actuating thecarrier, and an operative connection between said carrier and said bladefor actuating the latter.

13. A machine of t he character described comprising a support, meansfor feeding a strip oi material to locate its free end portion in apredetermined position. including a movable carrier having a head whichat one limit of its movement picks up said strip and at the other limitlocates the free end of the strip at a predetermined point, means forsevering said strip at the side of said head opposite the free end oi'the strip when said head is at the second-mentioned limit of itsmovementl means for actuating said carrier including a lever pivotallymounted on said support and an operative connection between said leverand said carrier for moving the latter to one limit oi' its movement assaid lever swings in one direction and to move said carrier to the otherlimit of its movement as said lever moves in the other direction.

14. The machine set forth in claim 13 wherein said severing meansincludes a movable blade and with the addition of an operativeconnection between said blade and said carrier for actuating the blade.

l5. A machine of the character described comprising means for guiding astrip of adhesive tape having a pressure-sensitive adhesive on one sideexposed, a reciprocable carrier having a head which at one limit of itsmovement is pressed into adhesive contact with said strip and duringasians movement to its other limit feeds said strip to locate its freeend in a predetermined position to be engaged at its adhesive side by anarticle upon movement o! the latter in one direction, means for severingsaid strip at the side or said head opposite said free end of the stripso that the end portion of the strip thus separated i'ro' the strip willbe held by said head of the can r, and means for applying said piece o!material to said article including a presser normally disposed at theside ot said piece oi material opposite said article so that said pieceof adhesive material will be pressed between said article and saidpresser and thus adhesively attached to the article and pulled from saidhead o! the carrier upon movement oi said article in said direction.said presser being movable by and with said article during continuationof said movement of the article, means for actuating said presser in theother direction into normal position, and means operatively connectingsaid presser, said carrier and said severing means for actuating saidcarrier and said severing means by and upon movement oi said presser.

16. A machine oi' the character described comprising means for guiding astrip of adhesive tape having a pressure-sensitive adhesive on one sideexposed. a reciprocable carrier having a head which at one limit of itsmovement is pressed into adhesive contact with said strip and duringmovement to its other limit feeds said strip to locate its free end in apredetermined position to be engaged at its adhesive side by an articleupon movement oi' the latter in one direction.means for severing saidstrip at the side of said head opposite said free end of the strip sothat the end portion oi' the strip thus separated from the strip will beheld by said head of the carrier. and means for applying said piece ofmaterial to said article including a presser normally disposed at theside of said piece oi.' material opposite said article so that saidpiece of adhesivev material will be pressed between said article andsaid presser and thus adhesively attached to the article and pulled fromsaid head oi the carrier upon movement of said article in saiddirection. said presser being movable by and with said article duringcontinuation of said movement of the article, means for actuating saidpresser in the other direction into normal position, an operativeconnection between said presser and said carrier for actuating thelatter, and an operative connection between said carrier and saidsevering means for actuating said severing means.

LEROY L. SALFISBERG.

